GIPSY CHIEFTAIN DIES
When the chieftain of a gipsy tribe, Tanas Stix-io, died at 72 in Hobart, his funeral, led by a brass band, cost £400. The body was dressed in a new outfit of chieftain's robes, including a new pocket comb. A bronze casket cost £75. For nine days the tribal mourning ritual went on, and Tom Stewart, Stirio's eldest son, had to remain unshaven for six weeks. Other men of the tribe remained unshaven until after the funeral. Stirio remained in state all the time, and every evening members of the tribe brought gifts and kept vigil until dawn, intoning lamentations. After..the funeral there was a feast of rejoicing with invitations to old and young, rich and poor, few of whom were known to the gipsies. A marble mausoleum is to be erected costing £2500. The tribe has been in Tasmania for two years. Stirio, a naturalised Australian, was Jborn in Greece. Two Catholic priests conducted the service.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 11, 13 July 1943, Page 5
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160GIPSY CHIEFTAIN DIES Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 11, 13 July 1943, Page 5
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